GEL 16 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: West Indian Manatee, Cetacea, Marine Mammal
Document Summary
Gel16 - lecture 12 - symbiosis and whales. Mutualistic symbiosis - both organisms benefit from the association. Commensal symbiosis - one organism benefits, the other is not affected. Parasitic symbiosis - one organism benefits, the other is negatively affected in some way. Takes up nutrients, uses carbon dioxide and produces oxygen for coral respiration. Carnivora - seals, sea lions, walruses and sea otters. Cetacea - porpoises, dolphins, and whales (most have baleen instead of teeth - for filter feeding) Primary food for baleen whales is krill - a crustacean that forms schools in extremely large numbers (zooplankton) Largest mammal on earth is blue whale. Cooler temperatures and predation ocurring at the time. Less efficient than hair for warmth but better in the water. Manatees have muscle as a middle layer with blubber on each side (unknown function) It is effective in hunting and avoiding danger. Sound emitted as a series of clicks.
